'Kong: Skull Island' Loses Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons

Tom Hiddleston remains with the film, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts ("The Kings of Summer") from a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein.

According to Deadline, scheduling conflicts are to blame for the actors' exits: The planned start of production was postponed by a couple of weeks, from the fall to before the end of the year; the shoot is also expected to take considerable time. Legendary is now searching for their replacements.

Announced last year at Comic-Con International, "Kong: Skull Island" will focus on a team of explorers who trespass on King Kong’s primordial island territory. Originally planned for release in November 2016, the 3D adventure is now set to arrive March 10, 2017.